Charlton Athletic

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Relegation-battling Charlton Athletic welcome Championship leaders Coventry City for a vital clash at both ends of the table on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Addicks suffered an agonising late defeat at Portsmouth last time out for their seventh loss in nine games (W1 D1) to leave them just five points clear of the drop zone.

The Sky Blues are eight points clear of Middlesbrough in second and 10 ahead of Ipswich in third, who subjected them to their first league home defeat of the season on Monday night.

But Frank Lampard's side will be keen to get back on track after just two wins from their past six games (D2 L2) - both of which were by a 1-0 scoreline at the CBS Arena, having failed to win any of their previous three away matches (D2 L1).

• Charlton Athletic have won only two of their past 11 home league games against Coventry City (D6 L3), last hosting the Sky Blues in October 2018 in League One and losing 2-1.

• Coventry City have won each of their past three league meetings with Charlton Athletic, already their longest ever winning streak against the Addicks in the EFL.

• Charlton have lost five of their previous six home league games played on New Year's Day (W1), with the exception coming when beating Walsall 2-1 in League One in 2019.

• Coventry are unbeaten in their first game of the calendar year in each of the past 12 years (W9 D3), with only Manchester City (W13) on a longer such run in England's top four tiers.

• Coventry have won five of their past six away league matches in London (D1), winning both under Frank Lampard (1-0 and 4-0, both against Millwall in 2024-25 and 2025-26).

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

Charlton's trip to Fratton Park brought more frustration than optimism, as two struggling sides served up a reminder of how unforgiving life can be near the foot of the Championship.

Portsmouth may have been poor, but Charlton's failure to take their chances and a lapse in concentration at the end saw them leave empty-handed.

Conor Shaughnessy's opener on his return from injury came just when Charlton looked to be gaining control. Brought on to help contain Miles Leaburn - a key figure in Charlton's direct approach - the defender instead punished the visitors from a set piece.

When Charlton eventually levelled, it felt no more than they deserved, yet switching off in the final seconds proved costly. For a side battling for survival, to concede in that manner was unforgivable.

After the morale-boosting win over Oxford United, this festive double-header at Norwich and Portsmouth had offered a chance to edge away from danger. Instead, it reinforced how fragile Charlton's progress remains.

The defensive pairing of Reece Burke and Amari'i Bell provides some encouragement, while Joe Rankin-Costello showed he can be trusted.

But for all the endeavour, goals remain the glaring issue - only Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday have scored fewer this season.

Nathan Jones is beginning to split supporters, yet it's worth remembering how far he has taken this club.

Promotion, a top-five spell and a Championship campaign being fought with limited resources underline his capacity to extract results against the odds. Injuries have taken their toll, but stability might still be Charlton's best route to safety.

The Addicks are halfway through the season with a tally that keeps them in the fight.

January will be crucial. Fresh quality is essential if that 50-point target and the safety of 21st place are to be achieved.

Because if this late heartbreak becomes a recurring theme, Charlton's return to League One could soon feel painfully inevitable.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Where do you even start after that pitiful Boxing Day performance at Carrow Road?

"'Tis the season to be jolly," so let's find the positives from that 1-0 defeat to Norwich before the frustration takes over.

Thomas Kaminski, our goalkeeper, could justifiably come away from the game with some credit.

And 19-year-old debutant Keenan Gough should be quietly proud of his full Championship debut — a fine personal achievement for him and his family.

Now for the reality check, and it's one most Charlton fans will share after witnessing such a flat, lifeless display.

We knew it would be tough. Norwich are on the rise again under Philippe Clement, starting to look like the solid Championship side they're supposed to be.

However, even allowing for that, Charlton should have shown far more resistance.

Nathan Jones' absence from the dugout may have played a part — serving his suspension in the stands — yet the drop in energy and concentration was inexcusable.

Our travelling fans, who gave up part of their Christmas to make the deceptively long trip from London, deserved so much better.

There was no attacking threat, no tempo, no spark.

Set pieces, once a potential weapon, were wasted by loan signing James Bree, whose form has dipped alarmingly.

That Oxford win now feels a long time ago and the pressure only builds ahead of tonight's trip to Portsmouth — another side in-and-around us in the table.

The clouds of concern are thickening over this part of south-east London.

The talk of "being the best version of ourselves" is wearing thin. If that's truly the standard, then Charlton need to find that version of themselves again — quickly and repeatedly — just to stay in the Championship.

Norwich was a poor gift. Portsmouth tonight has to be the redemption.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic assistant manager Curtis Fleming says his side were 'disappointing' in their 1-0 loss at Norwich City.

The Addicks did not create any clearcut chances at Carrow Road as they lost for the seventh time in nine matches.

With boss Nathan Jones serving a touchline ban it was his assistant Fleming who was left to give his assessment on the game:

"I thought it was disappointing. We always talk about being the best version of ourselves. I didn't think we were at them today," he told BBC Radio London.

"I thought it was a real opportunity to go and get a result away from home, coming off a good result at home, and I don't think we were anywhere near where we could have been or should have been today.

"It's not a disappointing result, it's a disappointing performance, and for us to be competitive in this league we have to be the best version of ourselves every Saturday for 90 minutes."

Image source, Opta

Norwich City will aim to boost their Championship survival hopes when they welcome Charlton Athletic to Carrow Road on Friday afternoon (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Canaries are unbeaten in their past three (W1 D2) and could move out of the relegation zone for the first time since 21 October if they win, Portsmouth lose and Oxford fail to win.

The Addicks ended a six-game winless run (D1 L5) with a 2-1 victory over Oxford last time out and are eight points clear of the bottom three.

• Norwich have won two of their past three league games against Charlton (L1), as many as in their previous 15 (D4 L9). This is the first league meeting between the sides since February 2015.

• Charlton have won just one of their previous five away league games against Norwich (D2 L2), though it was in their last visit in September 2014.

• Norwich beat Millwall 2-1 on Boxing Day last year, ending a five-game losing run on the day. They last won consecutive Boxing Day matches in 1999/2000 (both times vs QPR).

• Charlton beat Cambridge 2-1 on Boxing Day last season, last winning consecutive Boxing Day league matches between 1994 and 1997 (a run of four).

• Norwich are unbeaten at Carrow Road under Philippe Clement in the Championship (W2 D1), having lost seven out of seven under Liam Manning. The Canaries are looking for three home wins in a row for the first time since between January and April 2024 (8).

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

On the morning of the game against Oxford United, I'll admit I was a little nervous. This felt like a six-pointer, even though we're not yet halfway through our first season back in the Championship.

Five points separated Charlton and Oxford near the foot of the table. Stretch that gap to eight, and Addicks fans could start to look forward to Christmas with a touch of cheer.

That eight-point cushion duly arrived, courtesy of a lovely right-footed strike from the returning Charlie Kelman. We've missed him badly, even when he wasn't fully fit, but he now looks every bit the player Charlton hoped for. The quality of his finish said it all.

Before that much-welcomed winner, though, you could have forgiven a neutral walking into The Valley for wondering if this was League One. It had all the hallmarks of a scrappy, hard-fought battle - and that's exactly what it turned into.

Among the standout performers, captain-for-the-day Lloyd Jones was immense at the back - our colossus in defence.

Rob Apter also returned to the side and put in a solid shift at left wing-back, a position that's caused us real problems with injuries. He impressed at both ends, delivering quality crosses and corners - a basic skill, though one not always as common as it should be.

Up front, Miles Leaburn caught the eye too, winning aerial duels and contributing tirelessly throughout.

Nathan Jones likes to call his substitutes "game-changers", and on this evidence, he's spot on. Kelman certainly was one, but so too was Tyreece Campbell, whose clever assist created the decisive goal.

Next up are two tricky away fixtures against improving sides in and around us - Norwich City and Portsmouth.

Yet with this win and a dogged draw at Birmingham fresh in the memory, belief is building nicely before the festive games. A few more returning players could make all the difference.

Saturday's match marked our final outing of 2025 at The Valley, and what a memorable year it's been in SE7.

Our Welsh warrior at the helm has us in good nick - 27 points at this stage feels quietly satisfying.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Joshua Adu-Donkor
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, Shutterstock

A total of 49 days was the amount of time that Charlton striker Charlie Kelman was out due to injury.

It took him only 17 minutes to get himself on the scoresheet after coming off the bench. It's now two goals in two appearances for the American striker.

A timely reminder ahead of a busy festive period of the quality the striker can add to the Charlton attack to move them up the Championship table.

Kelman made the move in the summer from east to south London after getting 28 goals and assists for Leyton Orient in the last campaign.

He has struggled to light up The Valley so far but this substitute performance against Oxford United is just what the doctor ordered, or maybe it was Santa?!

Image source, Rex Features

Nathan Jones called Charlie Kelman's cameo a "perfect return" after the striker came off the bench to score the winner in Charlton Athletic's 1-0 win against Oxford United today.

Former USA youth international Kelman had missed the last eight games for the Addicks due to injury but came on to replace Tanto Olaofe on the 61st minute and netted the winner 17 minutes later to end Charlton's six-match winless run.

"We didn't demonstrate the clinical killer instinct we needed, but when we needed it, we did, and then we were able to see it again," Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London after the match.

"It is a perfect return [for Charlie Kelman], but that's what we've been saying. We brought a load of quality in and now we want to see it because Charlie was playing through injury.

"It was a tendon injury that wasn't picked up, so he was not firing on all cylinders. That's healed now, and he's looked a different animal the last two or three weeks in training.

"I knew that, given the opportunity today, he's the one—well, we have a few at the club, [Luke] Berry, [Matty] Godden, and him—that you give them that type of opportunity and they finish, and it was a wonderful finish."

Charlton Athletic will seek an end to a difficult spell when they host bottom three side Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Addicks suffered a five-match loss streak before their draw to Birmingham City on the weekend but still remain without a win in six to drop them down from the upper half of the table to just 17th.

Oxford's trip to the Valley will offer up a good opportunity though, with Gary Rowett's side without a win on the road since a 2-1 at Hillsborough in October.

• After winning seven consecutive league games against Oxford between 1993 and 1998, Charlton have won just one of their last 14 against the Us since 2016 (D5 L8).

• Oxford have won four of their last seven away league games against Charlton (D2 L1), having been winless in their first 15 visits between 1968 and 1997 (D7 L8).

• Charlton have lost five of their last six Championship matches (D1). Since the first game in this run on 8th November, no side have picked up fewer points than the Addicks in the competition (1 – level with Sheffield Wednesday).

• Oxford have won just one of their last nine Championship matches (D4 L4), with that one victory coming at home (2-1 v Ipswich). Since the start of November, only Sheffield Wednesday (0) have won fewer matches than them (1) in the competition.

• Brian De Keersmaecker leads all Oxford players for assists (4) and chances created (31) in the Championship this season. 19 of his chances created have come from set plays, with only Coventry's Matt Grimes (28) registering more in the division.

Charlton Athletic forward Tanto Olaofe hopes the draw at Birmingham City will prove to be a turning point in their season.

The Addicks came from a goal behind to rescue a point and end a run of five straight league defeats on Saturday.

Olaofe excellently nutmegged Blues defender Cristoph Klarer before providing the cross which led to Tyreece Campbell's equaliser.

"To go 1-0 down, it's not an easy place to come to react and get a point," Olaofe told BBC Radio London after Charlton became the first team since Hull City on 18 October to take points off Birmingham at St Andrew's.

"I thought we dug deep to the very end. Playing away from home, it's always a good point.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game. Every game in the Championship is a tough game and we knew we needed a reaction as well.

"A point was the bare minimum that we needed. Hopefully this will be the turning point and our next game is at The Valley and we can pick up three points."

Charlton are the joint-third lowest scorers (20) in the Championship alongside Blackburn but Olaofe says he's not concerned by their low output so far.

"I just see it as an attacker that I've always got opportunities," Olaofe added.

"I had an opportunity against Coventry where I should have scored, Ipswich I should have scored.

"But I know if I'm getting these chances, they're just going to keep coming. The minutes I've got have been quite limited so in terms of the opportunities I've got, I'm quite happy with how I've turned them over.

"Once you start starting games, you can build momentum and momentum is key for me.

"I'll become more robust and the team, the fans will be able to see what I can truly offer. This [Birmingham] was a glimpse of that."

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

In the current circumstances for Charlton Athletic, Saturday's point away at Birmingham City was massive.

It has been a torrid time of late for the Addicks - the passing of one of our great fans, Norman Barker, a wretched run of five straight defeats, and a growing list of injuries we have had to endure.

At last, a result and a performance to lift the mood as we embark on a run of games against sides around us in fixtures that could define our season.

You could see it written all over Nathan Jones' face in the post-match interviews - the sheer relief this away point brought.

Given our recent form, the constant shuffling of the pack, and Birmingham's formidable home record, you could forgive our players for wanting to stay tucked under their hotel duvets when they woke up in the West Midlands on the morning of the game.

Birmingham's home form has been phenomenal - just one defeat in their previous 34 league matches, with 27 wins and six draws. They've also been scoring for fun, as Norwich, Millwall and Portsmouth can recently testify.

More reasons to be cheerful…

It was exciting to see Karoy Anderson step into midfield and show real bite and tenacity.

After my rallying call in the Middlesbrough write-up, I was absolutely delighted to see Tyreece Campbell get off the mark with our equalising goal.

And with Tanto Olaofe terrorising defences once more - playing a big part in Charlton's equaliser - there's genuine optimism for what's ahead.

If Miles Leaburn can catch fire too, this team, with players returning and perhaps a few fresh faces in the January window, could yet bring us Addicks fans real joy in the second half of the season.

Leaburn did spurn a glorious chance in the first half - the great Dennis Bergkamp might have advised him to stay ice-cold in the moment of execution. Middlesbrough's Riley McGree and Morgan Whittaker showed just how it's done in our last home game.

Now comes a full week to prepare before Oxford United visit SE7 - a game where nothing less than three points will do. It's an opportunity to pull further clear of the sides hovering around those League One trapdoor places.

Perish the thought...

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones praised goalscorer Tyreece Campbell after the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City. He told BBC Radio London:

"He's a young kid in his first year in the Championship. He does everything we ask of him.

"He's predominantly a left winger. We've converted him to a front man, we've converted him to a number 10 in how we play, then he's had to play at left wing-back because of all the injuries we've had down the left-hand side.

"We've had to put him at left wing-back and say: 'Can you do 12k up and down with 1000m high-speed running?' And he does it.

"He's been the main presser and he does it. This kid is grafting for this football club.

"He's a south-east London kid. I'm proud of him, really proud."

Birmingham City welcome Charlton Athletic for a meeting between two sides promoted from League One last season on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Blues have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since September but are still only three points off the play-off places in 11th.

The Addicks started the season well but have now lost five on the bounce, conceding 15 goals and scoring just three in the process, to slip to 19th - six points above the relegation zone.

• Birmingham are looking to register consecutive league wins over Charlton for the first time since February 1980.

• The home team won both league meetings between Birmingham and Charlton last season, as many as there'd been in the previous 11 games in this fixture (W2 D5 L4).

• Birmingham City have lost just one of their previous 34 home league games (W27 D6) and have won their past four in a row since the 3-2 defeat to Hull in October.

• Charlton have lost their past three away league games, last having a longer away losing streak in February/March 2022 in League One (four).

• Birmingham have won 17 home league games in 2025 so far – a win in this game would equal their most wins at home in a calendar year, winning 18 games in the year 2000.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Charlton Athletic

The club provided a fitting, heartfelt tribute to 'Headphones Norm' who was a familiar face for all of us who have followed Charlton up and down the country.

Every away coach I have ever taken, he was there.

He was our Rudyard Kipling - meeting triumph and disaster and treating those two impostors just the same. While others ranted after a defeat, Norm would simply shrug and say it was "just a bad day at the office".

He never wavered. He was one of our true diehards, the sort who would turn up on a freezing Tuesday night in Walsall with only a couple of hundred of us for company.

He was a regular at the club's Reminiscence Group on Thursday afternoons at The Valley, conversing about "the good old days". He had even been at the Christmas dinner just last week chatting to my brother Peter. It is heartbreaking to think he is now gone.

As for the match on Tuesday, I went in with few expectations.

Middlesbrough have been flying, even amid managerial change, and their 4–1 win at Hull had me worried.

Our injury list has not helped, but neither did gifting them chances. Sonny Carey was dispossessed leading to the opener and Tyreece Campbell's half-hearted challenge for a 50/50 ball that led to the second goal summed up our own undoing.

Campbell needs to rediscover belief. Opposition fans see his potential, now he must too. The ability that shone in League One can flourish here if he brings more confidence to his game.

The second half was an improvement, driven by intensity and substitutions.

I loved Karoy Anderson's determination, but Boro were too streetwise. They schooled us in the first half, then managed the game expertly in the second to snuff out any hope of a comeback.

It is the games with Oxford United, Norwich and Portsmouth that will truly shape our season but the growing list of injuries remains a real worry for Addicks fans.